Unexpected altar-cation

Did you hear the one about the priest stopping a wedding to yell at the photographer?

It sounds like a bad joke… doesn’t it? But, for one couple it wasn’t.Their officiant stopped during the middle of the ceremony to tell the photographer to leave. Saying, “This is a solemn assembly. Not a photography session. Please move. Or I will stop. I will stop this ceremony if you do not get out of the way. This is not about the photography. This is about God.”

The best way to avoid something like this is to prepare. Do your research. Make sure you meet with the officiant and photographers before the wedding. Discuss your expectations. Explain your photographer’s limits to your officiant. Some couples want the photographers to be right in on the action. And, for the most part photographers are in the midst of everything and go unnoticed. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case during this ceremony.

Here are seven questions you should ask your officiant.

1. How long have you been an officiant? How many weddings have you performed?

2. Do you have a sample ceremony that you could share with us?

3. Are you flexible with the ceremony? Can we write our own vows? Pick our own readings?

4. Are you available to attend rehearsals? Will you lead them?

5. What are your credentials? Different states require different licensing to perform ceremonies. Make sure your officiant is legal in the state you plan to marry.

6. How will you be dressed?

7. As a bride and groom you’ll do everything you can to keep disruptions to a minimum.

To find out more about this incident: Read the Huffington Post's story.